The Energon Pub

Dead Metal wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:Would someone please explain to me what makes this song so bad?

ASIDE from the "Because it sucks!"-type answers.

As for any "It does not fit the tone of the show"-type answers, both this and the U.S. opening are soft, mellow openings with a slight feel of coolness to them (though each feels different, they are of the same energy level).

What I think the issue is is that most of us are so used to the theme song of the English version, and that since the Japanese have such a widely different culture than us, that something as different as this is automatically deemed as "bad" by those who refuse to let themselves adjust to such variety.

You mean like for the same reasons Japanese anime purists hate English language versions of anime? You mean those people are also wrong for saying that the non-Japanese versions of their shows are inferior to the original?

But yea, these suck, seriously. The original opening is soft but dramatic and gives of a slight sense of danger, this is just a silly feel good pop song, probably something that's currently in the Japanese tween charts.

DM makes a good point.. That is what I was thinking about the theme.

Dead Metal wrote:You mean like for the same reasons Japanese anime purists hate English language versions of anime? You mean those people are also wrong for saying that the non-Japanese versions of their shows are inferior to the original?

Oh, yes it isn't as good as the English version, that's for sure. But, something being inferior to another doesn't automatically make it terrible.

Your anime dub analogy is valid, as while nearly all anime dubs are indeed no better than the original versions (Cowboy Bebop being a rare exception), not all dubs are inherently bad, as there do exist good dubs of certain anime. It is wrong to condemn all dubs when not all of them are of the same level of inferiority. Some dubs are horrble, some are lame, some are okay, some are decent, some a pretty good, and some are excellent. It all varies, and not all dubs should be seen as abominations.

And while this dub of Prime is defintely not as good as the English version, considering what all was done to the three Beast Era dubs, this is definitely the most tame TF Japanese dub yet (even more tame than Animated's dub).

The problem with the theme song in Japan is that it's a party song. Look at the lyrics. It turns the whole thing into something that it's not. It would've been fitting of their dub for "Animated", but not this. This is as bad as the "Beast Wars: Neo" theme, "Love Is Here". I'm sorry but after listening to the 80's Japanese themes, as well as "Micron Legend" and "Animated", this pales in comparison. At least Brian Tyler's theme has an epic, heroic quality to it.

Sabrblade wrote:And while this dub of Prime is defintely not as good as the English version, considering what all was done to the three Beast Era dubs, this is definitely the most tame TF Japanese dub yet (even more tame than Animated's dub).

Who was complaining about the dub it's self? All I see are people mortified by this awful pop song being used for the opening of a dark gritty show (in comparison to previous Transformers titles anyway) like Transformers Prime. It doesn't even have anything to do with Transformers, it wasn't written for the show at all. I think what's worse is that some people were actually waiting with anticipation for the Japanese opening, expecting something badass from JAM Project or the like, instead you get "Feeling"... The f**k?

Although frankly, learning that it's actually been cut down for younger age groups is downright hilarious.

Episode 1 comments -

LOL at Cliffjumper's singing about himself.

Cliffjumper and Arcee sure sound younger. Cliffjumper especially.

Vehicons get more dialogue.

American onscreen credits left untouched.

Ratchet sounds less gruff and also a bit younger.

"Transform!"

"Arms Up!"

Starscream sounds way different. But then again, Japanese Starscreams have always had that kind of voice, so I guess it fits in that regard.

This Optimus Prime just might be able to pull off a better performance of the role than Peter cullen has thus far. For starters, this Optimus can convey plenty of emotion with ease.

Sounds like Bulkhead got the gruff voice instead of Ratchet. It's different, but fitting.

MAN, Starscream is sure flamboyant sounding! This could be either hilariously over-the-top or ridiculously bad.

Jack's voice sound near-perfect, if a little high-pitched at times.

New footage for commercial bumper eyecatches!

"Saiyaku!"

They cut out the proper introduction scenes of both Jack (him working at the drive thru) and Raf (him playing with his RC cars).

Raf sounds alright.

Bumblebee sounds exactly the same. Though, it feels weird hearing everyone else say "Transform!" and "Arms Up!" without him also trying to say so in beep form.

Miko sounds exactly as I expected her to sound.

YES! "Autonomous robotic organisms" is replaced with "chou robot seimeitei" (super robot lifeforms). Tradition!

Also, Planet Cybertron is pronounced "Saibatoron-sei" instead of the pre-2007 "Seibātoron-sei".

Megatron's got a typical Japanese Megatron voice (for Japanese Transformers cartoon), and boy does he sound angry.

From the Cybertron Satellite, Transformers Division
Vector Sigma's unseen voice and the J-pop idol group Tokyo Girls Style tell the audiecnes facts about the Transformers franchise.

In this one, they describe the Prime toys and how the Arms Microns turn into the robots' weapons.

Arms micron Theater
The Arms Microns O.P., B2, and R.A. all float around in a brightly colored room, and decide try to transform. The clip ends before then can succeed.

Nothing too funny happened, but then again, this is only the first of many, and it's a very brief segment.

Instead of a next-episode preview, they show clips of the next episode during the end credits.


Overall, not too bad a dub. Compared to previous Japanese TF dubs, this one is a step up. But, I'll be watching the English version.

shudders jpop shudders again.......trys to tell himself it will be okay so totally knowing it wont.......

njb902 wrote:shudders jpop shudders again.......trys to tell himself it will be okay so totally knowing it wont.......

That's K-pop for the opening, not J-pop.

Last time I heard Starscream speaking Japanese was in Galaxy Force, and this one sure is different.

Well, I can't speak Japanese, but the dub doesn't sound bad. The voices will take some time to get used to without laughing uncontrollably, and "Transform!" and "Arms up!" are kind of annoying, but I think I'll manage.

Vicalliose wrote:Who was complaining about the dub it's self? All I see are people mortified by this awful pop song being used for the opening of a dark gritty show (in comparison to previous Transformers titles anyway) like Transformers Prime. It doesn't even have anything to do with Transformers, it wasn't written for the show at all. I think what's worse is that some people were actually waiting with anticipation for the Japanese opening, expecting something badass from JAM Project or the like, instead you get "Feeling"... The f**k?

Although frankly, learning that it's actually been cut down for younger age groups is downright hilarious.

I really just find it funny that anyone cares so much over the opening. Mortifying? It's not like they ruined the entire show just over an opening. Also funny, is how so many of those complaining, are in fact, not living in Japan, and likely will not be seeing this opening more than once on YouTube. Just really seems like overreacting.

I actually don't like the opening itself the best, but it's at least on par with the US version which is generic and perhaps a tad too serious. Past Japanese series have had better ones IMO.

Now for the dub:

Jun Fukuyama was the best voice in this. Seemed like he was the most in-sync and didn't seem like a great departure from his original voice. Arcee was also pretty good, though I didn't like Ratchet and Bulkhead was just a tad too... Gruff maybe?

I think they were trying to make it a little more like a typical robot show or JP Transformers show with the "Transform!" bit, doesn't really work though. In Prime, the transformations just kind of happen, it just seems awkward when they shout "Transform!" like they do.

Overall it was nothing terrible for a dub. Not that it really matters to me though...

Nekoman wrote:I think they were trying to make it a little more like a typical robot show or JP Transformers show with the "Transform!"

This is nothing new. Every Japanese-language Transformers series has the characters say "Transform!", even the American-made ones.

Sabrblade wrote:

Nekoman wrote:I think they were trying to make it a little more like a typical robot show or JP Transformers show with the "Transform!"

This is nothing new. Every Japanese-language Transformers series has the characters say "Transform!", even the American-made ones.

Yes, which is what I meant by "like a typical robot show or JP Transformers show". I'm saying they do it with Prime to keep it like other Japanese Transformers shows. They've not changed with how they do this, but I think that in this case they should.

Nekoman wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

Nekoman wrote:I think they were trying to make it a little more like a typical robot show or JP Transformers show with the "Transform!"

This is nothing new. Every Japanese-language Transformers series has the characters say "Transform!", even the American-made ones.

Yes, which is what I meant by "like a typical robot show or JP Transformers show". I'm saying they do it with Prime to keep it like other Japanese Transformers shows. They've not changed with how they do this, but I think that in this case they should.

Ah, my bad. Thought you meant just the Japanese-made TF shows, rather than the JTF dubs too.

They seriously do not "get" this series.

Deathsanras wrote:They seriously do not "get" this series.

Transformers has *ALWAYS* been for a younger audience in Japan. They can't just suddenly drop the target audience they've had for the past 27 years for a whole new one. That's bad marketing.

It'd be like if Hasbro suddenly up stopped marketing Transformers to boys after 28 years and made it a girl-based toyline.

Wow that opening theme song is even worse than the one to Voltron Force.